Late-night cram sessions. Flipping flashcards on repeat. Essays piling up. Staring at your textbook and realizing you’ve been on the same page for twenty minutes . . .
Sound familiar?
Midterms can be rough. But you can get through this. With a little planning and some practical tips, you can not only survive but thrive during this potentially stressful season. Here’s how.
1. Make a Plan. When you’re juggling multiple tests and projects, a solid plan can really help. Start simple: grab a calendar (or print one) and write down all your test dates and deadlines. Take it a step further by scheduling when you’ll study for each subject or work on each project. Got a big test in math? Plan to review those formulas early. Writing a history paper? Break it into smaller tasks and spread them out.
Don’t forget to schedule breaks! Short, regular pauses help your brain stay sharp and prevent burnout. Try the Pomodoro Technique: twenty-five minutes of focused work followed by a five-minute break. Use a timer so your breaks don’t accidentally stretch too long.
2. Find Your Calm. Stress happens, but you don’t have to let it take over. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, hit pause and do something to relax. Here are a few ideas:
• Deep breathing: Try the “4-7-8” method (inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7, exhale for 8).
• Tehillim: Reading or reciting a few perakim (chapters) can bring you comfort and also help you focus on the bigger and more important themes in life.
• Music: Play something calming or uplifting to reset your mood.
• Mindfulness: Focus on your senses—notice the colors, sounds and textures around you.
• Talk to Hashem: A little hitbodedut (private, informal prayer) can go a long way. Share your worries, ask for help or simply take a moment to connect with the Creator.
Or do something you love: doodle, bake cookies, shoot hoops—whatever helps you recharge. Taking a few minutes to calm down will leave you sharper and more focused when you get back to studying.
3. Nourish Your Whole Self. When you’re overwhelmed with schoolwork, it’s easy to forget the basics. But taking care of your body isn’t optional—it’s essential. Plus, it’s an outright mitzvah in the Torah to safeguard your health.
• Eat: Don’t skip meals!
• Hydrate: Drink plenty of water.
• Sleep: Don’t trade rest for extra study time; your brain needs sleep to function.
• Move: A stretch session, an exercise class or a quick run outside can do wonders for your energy and focus.
4. Study Smart. It’s not just about working harder—it’s about working smarter. Here are some study strategies to make the most of your time:
• Turn your notes into a game: quiz yourself or have a friend test you.
• Use mnemonics or silly songs to remember the little details you need to remember.
• Teach what you’ve learned to someone else. Explaining it out loud helps solidify it in your mind. (Tip: If you don’t have an available friend, you can even pretend there’s someone else there. You’re never too old to play “School.”)
5. Keep Things in Perspective. Right now, school might feel like your whole world. But here’s the truth: no single test or project defines your future. Do your best, but remember: even if you mess up, it’s not the end of the world. Some of the most successful adults struggled in school, while others who aced everything are still figuring things out. Your worth isn’t tied to your grades. What matters most is building good habits, being kind to yourself and learning how to handle challenges that come your way.
Midterms aren’t easy, but they don’t have to take over your life. By planning ahead, taking care of yourself and keeping a balanced perspective, you can get through this season with confidence. And you may even enjoy parts of it.
So, take a deep breath, grab a pen and start making that plan. Whatever grades you get, you can be proud of yourself for giving it your all.
And don’t forget to treat yourself when it’s all over—you’ve earned it.
Sari Kopitnikoff is an experiential educator, digital artist and content creator who is passionate about creating books, games, activities and shows that bring Judaism to life. You can find her books, games and lots of educational activities on her website, thatjewishmoment.com and on social media, @thatjewishmoment.